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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lots of action with nice characterization, too,
By
This review is from: Exodus (Hellgate, London, Book 1) (Bk. 1) (Mass Market Paperback)
For centuries, the Templars have hidden underground practiced their warrior techniques, and prepared for the day when demons would once more attack the earth. Simon Cross, once a Templar, had abandoned that order when he lost faith in demons. But when the demons attack, he returns to London--only to find that his father has been killed in a deliberate sacrifice. The Templars are desperate for fighters and are willing to take Simon back--under certain conditions. But can Simon put up with the petty rules and politics at a time when humanity itself is in danger of destruction?
Warren Schimmer has always had a bit of power--enough to manipulate little things. But he's never been able to capitalize on that power--except the one time he saved his own life and forced his stepfather to commit suicide rather than murder. When the demons invade London, he's caught in the middle, hunting for food and water in a city that increasingly is becoming a part of the hellish environment of whatever dimension the demons are crossing from. But the demon invasion is more than just a danger to Warren. Somehow the same powers that allow the demons access to Earth have raised his own magic to higher levels. Warren attracts the attention of the secretive Cabal--and, all too soon, the attention of a demon lord who has his own plans for Warren--and for Earth. Both Warren and Simon has survived difficult relationships with the father figures in their lives. Both are now orphans, surrounded by supposed allies who have little love for them. Clearly their destinies are somehow linked--but will destiny and the demon invasion bring them together, are they doomed to become enemies? Author Mel Odom kicks off an exciting video-game-based series with an action-packed thriller. Set in the near future (2020) after a demon invasion, HELLGATE: LONDON: EXODUS provides all the action and fighting detail you'd expect from a video-game-based story, but Odom doesn't neglect character development. Simon might be a bit too perfect, but Odom humanizes him with his past history of recklessness and rebellion. Warren is not exactly anyone you'd want to bring home, but his history goes a long way toward explaining his situation and making him sympathetic even as he grows ever-more creepy. Odom writes page-turning prose, with new dangers around every corner. Every time Simon or Warren thinks they can finally breathe safely, another threat pops up. If you enjoy solid action, demons, and sword-wielding knights, you'll definitely want to grab a copy of HELLGATE: LONDON: EXODUS.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Demons versus Templars in the wreckage of London,
By
This review is from: Exodus (Hellgate, London, Book 1) (Bk. 1) (Mass Market Paperback)
I wasn't familiar with the Hellgate: London video game when I picked up Hellgate: London - Exodus, but I enjoy a good post-apocalyptic tale so I took a chance on this novel, the first in Mel Odom's trilogy. Besides, it has modern day knights battling demons. How could I resist?
It's 2020 and London is in ruins, overrun by demons that came pouring out of the Hellgate, a massive portal to their home dimension. In short order, the demons have destroyed the British military and have turned London into their own personal playground. Only the Templars, an ancient brotherhood of knights now equipped with high-tech battle suits and magic-enhanced weaponry, stand in their way. Further complicating things are the Cabalists, a group of people with special abilities who are trying to use the demons to enhance their own power, and a shadowy CIA-type outfit whose goals are not made clear. The main characters are Simon, a young Templar with his own ideas of how to serve the cause, Warren, a powerful but troubled loner who comes under the thrall/protection of a major demon, and Leah, a member of the secret CIA-type group. The premise is interesting enough, and left a ton of potential for interesting developments. Unfortunately the book never seemed to take off. First off, key questions like where the Hellgate came from and what the international community's response to the crisis was, were never addressed. At minimum you'd expect a NATO blockade and UN-coordinated relief efforts, but instead the fate of London's citizens was left to privateers, scavengers and a handful of rogue Templars. Speaking of the Templars, they seemed to die at an astronomical rate. Was their order really large enough to sustain such losses? If so, I have a hard time seeing how it could have been kept secret. I suppose asking for logic in a book about magic and demons is pushing it a bit, but it was hard to overlook these omissions. I also found it hard to get a feel for any of the characters. Simon in particular came across as one of those generic heroes you'd find in a Michael Bay movie. Warren was a bit more interesting, but his development was extremely predictable. Hellgate: London - Exodus was a fast-paced and entertaining read, but it mostly seemed like a missed opportunity. It could have been a great post-apocalyptic saga, but instead seems like just another action/adventure story. Perhaps it will resonate more with fans of the game. I don't think I'll stick around for the rest of the trilogy.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellently written, action-packed,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Exodus (Hellgate, London, Book 1) (Bk. 1) (Mass Market Paperback)
The Knights Templar are usually linked with the enigmatic Freemasons, but in "Hellgate: London: Exodus," their purpose is clear: to save the citizens of London from demons leaking from the gates of Hell ('Hellgates', if you need more clarification).
You know, everyday stuff. Author Mel Odom knows how to write a good book. And he more than proves it with Exodus, the first of three in the "Hellgate: London" series, following former Knight Thomas Cross through his struggles with accepting himself and his fate...or completely changing fate altogether. Meanwhile, Londoner Warren Schimmer deals with the battles of living with roommates that despise him and surviving an attack from one of the Hellgates' demons. As I said, everyday stuff. Odom expertly intertwines Cross's and Schimmer's stories very gradually, creating an action-packed tale of good versus evil, or more simply, the changing of powers. As Thomas makes his way from his escape of South Africa to London to search for his father, or what remains of him, Warren staves off death and watches his body slowly transform into a tool for the demons. The inclusion of characters like Leah Creasey, who holds more secrets than she's willing to tell, and Schimmer's roommate Kelli, whom he is almost unconsciously mind-controlling, helps expand a somewhat restricted storyline and add elements of impending disaster to the most heart-pounding situations. And trust me - there are a lot of 'em. Now, if I could just find out where to get one of those Knights' cool armour suits.... - T.C. Robson
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